The 5 Best Home Builders in Tauranga Who Bring Dream Homes to Life
Jessica McNamara
| Last Updated: September 2025 Building a home is exciting. But if you’ve ever tried juggling design ideas, budgets, and timelines, you know it can quickly feel exhausting.
This is exactly what happened to some of my friends. They realised the hardest part wasn’t dreaming up a perfect home—it was finding someone trustworthy to bring it to life.
If you’re in the same boat, unsure who to trust with your dream home, we have good news. We’ve gathered insights from homeowners, checked builders’ track records, and highlighted the best home builders in Tauranga here!
How much does homebuilding cost in Tauranga?
1. Landmark Homes Bay of Plenty
Address: 1/315 Matakokiri Drive, Tauriko
Phone: +64 7 579 6447
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Logan and Carly Stewart, the duo behind the Landmark Homes Tauranga branch, mix building expertise with real care for their clients. People say this makes their experience with them smoother.
One couple said that even during the most uncertain years, the team delivered their home on time, within budget, and exactly as promised.
A big part of that seems to come down to communication. Clients say the team is upfront, transparent, and never leaves them in the dark.
What impressed us most was their flexibility. Some clients started with one of Landmark’s ready-to-go designs and added their own tweaks, while others went all in on a completely custom design.
Their designers bring ideas to the table without overruling the client’s vision, so the process feels like true teamwork.
For anyone who wants their home to feel uniquely theirs, that mix of professional guidance and personal choice is a huge advantage.
Something to be aware of, though: landscaping isn’t usually part of their package.
They handle the basics—leveling the site, connecting services, and making sure you’re compliant. Anything beyond that is extra, and the cost can add up quickly.
We had great comfort knowing that we were always looked after by the team
“The team at Landmark Homes Tauranga were truly amazing during our build. Their dedication with perfection during each stage of the design and build process was an absolute dream to experience. We had great comfort knowing that we were always looked after by Logan and the team. Their integrity was a very important part of our decision to choose Landmark Tauranga. This included their beautiful home designs and custom options that were available to us within our budget.”
Joseph Campus, Google review
The workmanship was excellent
“Logan and the whole team at Landmark were awesome to deal with even when we were building during Covid. The workmanship was excellent and they have build us a lovely home we are grateful for there honesty and commitment to satisfy the customers needs , will definably use and recommend them.”
Hendry De Waal, Google review
2. Fairbairn Builders
Phone: +64 21 148 6121
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Fairbarn Builders focuses on creating homes that are modern, stylish, and built to last.
Their house designs often feature big open spaces, high ceilings, and details like exposed trusses that give the home a lot of character. We think their work fits Tauranga’s coastal vibe really well.
They handle complicated builds pretty well. Pitched roofs, mixed materials, tricky designs—these are the kinds of projects that can easily go wrong with the wrong builder. They seem to thrive on that challenge.
Clients often mention how smoothly the whole process runs, and a lot of that comes down to Jamie.
He’s great at scheduling and making sure the right people are on-site at the right time.
Some even said his suggestions saved them from making design mistakes they wouldn’t have noticed until it was too late.
Quality-wise, they’re excellent. From large renovations to smaller jobs like bathroom upgrades, they’re neat and precise.
However, they aren’t the cheapest option out there. But from what we’ve seen, the price reflects the quality and attention to detail.
Great communicators, efficient, organised and positive
“As an interior designer, I love working with Fairbairn Builders. They are the whole remit – details focussed, great communicators, efficient, organised and positive. Nothing is a problem and there is always a good vibe onsite. New builds and renovations are about a team approach, so we can get the best result for our clients. This is Jamie’s focus and you can tell he is totally invested and really cares about his builds. I have no hesitation in recommending Jamie and his team for future projects.”
Kathrine McDonald, Google review
We could not recommend Fairbairn Builders highly enough
“We were fortunate enough to secure Jamie & his team from Fairbairn Builders to undertake a major renovation of our home at Matua. This was our third renovation project, but the first time we have used Fairbairn Builders and we couldn’t be happier with our choice. Jamie and his team are extremely well organised and efficient, with a very high attention to detail. With a no-nonsense approach we knew we were in good hands and we are delighted with the end result. We could not recommend Fairbairn Builders highly enough. Thanks Team! Robin & Christina”
Christina Baillie, Google review
3. Straight Up Builders
Address: 81 Newton Street, Mt Maunganui
Phone: +64 27 656 0026
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Straight Up Builders puts so much emphasis on their communication. Rather than handing over a plan and disappearing, they keep clients informed all the time, even using daily quality control checklists.
One client even mentioned how the team handled the stop-start period due to budget limitations with patience and without frustration. We appreciate this because every homeowner faces their own set of challenges.
Another area where they stand out is their ability to problem-solve under pressure.
During the COVID-19 building supply shortages, for example, the team stepped in after the original builder had downsized. Straight Up Builders still managed to deliver a beachside home despite the disruptions.
This kind of adaptability and commitment tells us that when obstacles arise, they don’t lose focus on delivering a good home.
From what we’ve gathered, they’re best for clients who want a dependable partner in a home build or renovation. It’s better if you want to stay closely involved in the process.
That said, they’re pretty popular in the area, and availability can sometimes be limited. It’s best to contact them early if you’re considering working with them.
They generally made the renovation process as smooth as it could be
“Straight Up Builders transformed our 1970’s home. We couldn’t be happier with the workmanship, timing and reliability of Straight Up Builders. Garret, Dave and the team were easy to deal with, sorted issues as they arose and generally made the renovation process as smooth as it could be. I would highly recommend the Straight Up team if undertaking any building work.”
Matt Webb, Google review
The timeframes and quality were exceptional
“Straight Up Builders helped us with a full interior renovation of our Papamoa house. The timeframes and quality were exceptional. They also made the project run smoothly by organising and managing sub-trades like tiling, electrical, plumbing and plastering. We did all the painting ourselves at night and weekends with Dave telling us when we needed it done by so trades weren’t delayed.”
Nathan Gilling, Google review
4. Anderson Homes BOP
Address: 28 Windsor Road, Bellevue
Phone: +64 22 026 4882
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 7 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 12:30 PM
- Sunday: Closed
When we looked into Anderson Homes BOP, one thing stood out: people can’t stop talking about the quality of the finishing.
Whether it was a kitchen renovation or even a brand-new home, the comments all circled back to the same thing: Daniel Anderson and his team really cared about the details.
The reason behind this is how hands-on Daniel is. He personally manages every project.
A good example was a client in Papamoa who had their home built. They thought the process would be stressful, but Daniel kept the site spotless. He used only hand-picked subcontractors and delivered the keys exactly when he said he would.
They’d also take care of everything. They’ll handle the planning, budgets, subcontractors, and even the interior fit-out if you want. That means you don’t have to juggle different tradespeople.
But of course, being a smaller, family-run business has its limits. If you’re planning a big project at short notice, we think they may not have the same capacity as larger companies.
The finished homes are stunning
“We have had the pleasure of working with Anderson Homes (Jen & Dan) on a number of new build projects. Wanted to acknlowedge the management of the builds, so friendly and professional. The finished homes are stunning.”
Amber Carr, Google review
The end product is finished with great attention to detail
“Anderson Homes have done three separate renovation and repair jobs at our house and we are really happy with all of them! Their work is professional and the end product is finished with great attention to detail. We would have them back any day! Cheers Jo and Kevin Ironside.”
Glassy Jo, Google review
5. MLT Builders Limited
Address: 45A Queen Road, Bellevue
Phone: +64 27 898 0883
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Unlike other builders who juggle dozens of homes at once, Mark Taylor and his team focus on a small number of clients each year. That means, if you’re working with them, you’re getting their full attention.
From what we’ve heard, they make the experience stress-free. One family shared how their home was completed on time, with no hidden dramas.
What made the difference, they said, was the precise planning before the project even began. Their detail-oriented preparation seems to be one of their biggest strengths.
But what impressed us most is how versatile they are. Yes, they shine when it comes to new, architecturally designed homes, but their renovations tell another story.
They can balance the old and new. We liked that they don’t bulldoze over character but instead find ways to modernise homes while keeping that Kiwi architectural charm intact.
You have to remember, though, that MLT is a small team. The building process can take a little longer than that of builders with a bigger team.
The team worked efficiently and diligently on site
“We could not recommend Mark Taylor and his team highly enough to any prospective client looking for an exceptional service. We had a stress free renovation process that was finished on time with everything going to plan. The workmanship could not be faulted and the team worked efficiently and diligently on site. The precise planning leading up to the project enabled the renovation to be completed on time even in the challenging building environment that the team found themselves in. Mark and his team were friendly, polite and professional going over and beyond to deliver an exceptional service to our family.”
Susie Laery, Google review
If you are thinking of a renovation, look no further than MLT
“We have worked alongside Mark and his team at MLT builders on multiple renovations and new builds. From our experience, there isn’t a better team that we have worked with in the Bay area. From quality of work, to the organization on site I highly recommend MLT builders. If you are thinking of a renovation, look no further than MLT.”
Chris Prince, Google review
